This course examines the legal environment relating to electronic commerce and e-business and will provide an understanding of how the law has reacted to the development of computer technology and its use in the conduct of business. Specific areas to be covered include computer contracts, identity management and fraud, consumer protection, protection of confidential business information, negligence and defamation, computer crime, data protection and intellectual property .

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The course develops capabilities that:

assist in the identification of legal issues in practical business problems;

develop the legal skills to analyse legal issues;

allow students to locate and use relevant legal resources and legislation;

develop the ability to use legal information to support decision-making.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

&#61607; identify the legal issues arising from electronic commerce; &#61607; identify the relevant areas of law in Australia and internationally; &#61607; understand how the relevant areas of law operate; &#61607; understand the development of international legal and regulatory trends in electronic commerce; and &#61607; assess the legal risk in electronic commerce.

Overview of Learning Activities

This course is predominantly offered in online mode. Students will be required to lead online discussion on case studies and to comment on new issues posted on the Discussion Board. They will be required to undertake legal research using electronic resources and to undertake problem solving through completion of case studies. They will also be able to express legal concepts clearly and appropriately.

Overview of Learning Resources

This is an online course. Students will be able to access materials upon enrolment. There is no prescribed text.

Distributed Learning System (DLS)

This course is supported online using the Learning Hub of the DLS. The DLS gives access to important announcements, staff contact details, the teaching schedule, assessment timelines and a variety of important teaching and learning materials. The Learning Hub of the DLS can be found at http://www.rmit.edu.au/online

Overview of Assessment

Normally, students will undertake case studies and a major research project